Biking through Island 22 and Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Parks
It’s officially fall on the West coast of BC! And while the leaves are busy turning vibrant tones of orange and yellow, it also means our sunny days are numbered. Once rain season hits, we can be socked in for a good long time.
I’ve been pushing it hard during each sunny day heading outdoors working on the yard, on the outside of the house, the ongoing Save The Shed project and more. It’s easy to bypass downtime!
But on this particular sunny day, I talked myself out of working and getting on my bike instead… to check out 2 new-to-me bike trails I’ve heard so much about, called Island 22 and Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Parks.
You’re already aware I bike the Vedder River Rotary Trail almost daily… however these next two trail locations really pleasantly surprised me! Not only for their beauty, but all they had to offer… you just wait!
Biking through Island 22
and Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Parks
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Island 22 Regional Park
Location: 44955 Cartmell Rd, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Hours:
May 1 – Oct 14: 6am to sunset
Oct 15-April 30: 7am to sunset
Paid parking: June 29 – October 25 at $5 a day for regular vehicles, $10 for horse trailers
Island 22 Regional Park is a 132-hectare riverfront park that I’ve been super curious about! It’s located on Fairfield Island, along the outskirts of Chilliwack, BC so it isn’t far away from me at all. Yet I’ve never been. It costs $5 to car-park during the summer through fall months, so it is affordable.
I will admit, trail bike riding isn’t the #1 attraction I’d deem this spot to be good for though. Other than riding along the main river dike, the inner trails along the river are pretty, however short.
However, Island 22 Regional Park has some pretty outstanding other perks well worth mentioning that don’t exist in other parks… along with pretty views to match!
Off-leash dog park
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This amazing riverside dog park was like being in an orchard / forest. It’s really huge, and absolutely beautiful. And of course, running beside the Fraser River, you can’t beat that view.
Mountain bike obstacle course
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And if you’re into this kind of biking sport adventure, this amazing bike obstacle skills course was super well done. There were loads of creative ways to bike across logs, hills, wooden obstacles, etc.
Equestrian trails and jumps
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It was also mentioned that bikers can use the horse trails across the road. I didn’t know what to expect, so I checked it out.
You can barely make out most trails, however it was still bikeable… but my goodness, how perfect is this meadow for horse riding?!
Acres and acres of farmland styled fields with horse jumps filled each rolling hill. It really was quite spectacular.
There was also plenty of room to park horse trailers. So this is a must-stop for horse riders or jumpers for sure.
And even a fun nature adventure if you’re on a bike!
After doing the full tour of Island 22 Regional Park, it was time to check out my 2nd chosen destination.
The drive from Fairfield Island towards Agassiz, BC is spectacular if you take Hope River Road. I mean… check out this little strip of farmland dotted with cows in a pasture. A picture-perfect puzzle if I ever did see one!
But it was about to get even better… in allllll the biking ways possible.
Cheam Lake Wetlands
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Location: 53480 Elgey Rd, Rosedale, BC, Canada
Hours: 7am to sunset
Free Parking
Update: bikes are not permitted. I wasn’t aware when I visited.
I walked my bike through the trails.
Welcome to one of the prettiest spots in BC!
Cheam Lake Wetlands is a 107- hectare park, that includes lake, marsh, and forest, along with a floating boardwalk leading to a spectacular viewing platform. The easy walking trails are approximately 2 km long all combined.
Oh my goodness. My jaw dropped as I climbed out of my truck, being immediately greeted with the most beautiful water views backed by mountains and forest that Cheam Lake Wetlands offered. It’s spectacular.
There aren’t many parks I would stop at without my bike. But I would at this one.
Looping forest trail
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From the parking lot, there are trails leading left and right. Turning left gets you into a looping forest trail that is bike-friendly, although somewhat narrow.
But so pretty! The trail winds deep into a remote forest area where you feel like you are the only one around.
Once you make your way out of the forest, you are greeted with some pretty spectacular mountain views.
Then once making it back to the parking lot and heading towards the other trails, the view changed yet again…
Trail with floating boardwalk
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One route takes you past all the wetlands along the water, with views right out of a storybook.
These are deemed walking trails, so I walked my bike through the winding trails that unfolded to a new jaw-dropping gorgeous new view with every inch you moved.
All the trails were flat and easy to walk, which was really nice.
The floating boardwalk to the viewing platform
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At the end of one trail, there’s a bridge with a wetlands lookout point that is NOT to be missed!
Such stunning surroundings! This is honestly one of the prettiest trail spots I have ever visited.
Viewing Platform
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Once you walk up the steps, you are greeted with the most amazing 180 degree deck to take the entire wetlands area in.
You literally gasp when you first see it at at once!
Trust me when I say, you can’t possibly capture it in just photos. You need to be there.
There’s a video captured of this lookout included at the bottom of this post which helps!
Natural trail – approx 1 mile long
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After the observation trail, there’s another trail that’s slated to be approx 1 mile long. It’s super remote and runs deep into the forest. The trail itself is a little more rustic and somewhat bumpy, but for the most part, pretty smooth and very natural. It’s a must. You really do feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. There’s nothing quite like it.
Being that it’s so remote, I don’t think I’d recommend walking it on your own unless you let someone know of your whereabouts. I always message my sister when I’m about to venture into some unknown remote area myself and message her once I’m out again. Just in case.
Video below
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Click above to catch a live glimpse of each of these amazing park visits!
Must have ad blockers turned off to view videos.
All I know is, it was a real treat to get away from home for a spell and discover this beautiful spot that I’ve only until now heard so much about.
So if you’re a biker as well, it pays to get a bike carrier, and go discover other areas near you!
I still love to ride along the amazing Vedder River Rotary Trail nearly daily.
But biking through Island 22 and Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Parks was like a mini vacation, that cost me next to nothing!
What are you doing for fun before our nice weather is a done deal?
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Other bike trail adventures you may enjoy:
Vedder River Rotary Trail in Chilliwack, BC
I bike these trails daily and share loads of stories about them!
Thacker Regional Park in Hope, BC
Othello Tunnels along the Kettle Valley Trail in Hope, BC
Wilband Creek in Abbotsford, BC
Visit all my bike riding adventure posts HERE
Oh Donna,
I live in Ca and am surrounded by fires and the air quality is so bad, I can’t even go outside, so your beautiful pictures with the blue sky really made my heart sing!!!!! Thanks for reminding me what the sky is supposed to look like ☀️
Ugh. That’s so awful Linda. We started getting smoke our way again so I can only imagine how bad it is for you.
Yes… blue sky will return… hang onto that! Glad I could offer you a little glimpse of hope!
Love your pictures! Ditto to Linda’s comment.
Thanks Nancy! Sorry you’re also experiencing smoke! The forests are so nice to have but we can certainly pay a price for them on occasion too. 🙁
We’re heading to Chilliwack next week for 2 nights so we plan on visiting Cheam Wetlands on our way there. Looks beautiful and looking forward to it! Thank You Donna.
Oh my goodness… SO glad I got this post up in that case! You just wait… you will be mind-blown! It’s a nice place to sit and do absolutely nothing too!
Enjoy!!!
Why? Why? Why? am I not living in beautiful British Columbia! Absolutely breathtaking. You are so lucky to have all this beauty right at your back door. Enjoy!
P.S. The obstacle trail has my son’s name written all over it. LOL
Haha! Well then you must come visit!
But it’s my bet you have something special near you too… I didn’t know anything about the trails 5 min from my own front door until I got a bike. NO idea whatsoever. It’s weird how your world opens up in a new way when you try something new.